French still considering PANG carrier EMALS fit
Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération (PANG) rendering. (Image: Naval Group)
Two EMALS or three — that is the question for the French Navy with its next-generation PANG aircraft carrier.
France is still weighing up how many Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) tracks it needs to equip its future Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération (PANG) aircraft carrier.
A second carrier remains an option while Paris irons out it EMALS fit for PANG, an official with the French defence procurement agency DGA told Shephard during a 16 September press briefing at Naval Group’s Lorient shipyard.
On 21 December 2021, the US approved the potential $1.32 billion sale of EMALS and aircraft arresting gear to France.
The PANG programme to build a new aircraft carrier for the French Navy was formally approved by President Emanuel Macron
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